Avon

Miles from Boston 17
Population 4,443
Median house price $328,000 (January to July 2005)
Tax rate $9.42
Transportation Routes 24 and 28; MBTA and Brockton Area Transit Authority
MCAS Avon's public school system ranked 204th out of 373 systems statewide, just behind Plainville, according to a Boston Globe analysis of 2004 MCAS results.
Census facts Median family income is $60,625, compared to a national rate of $50,046, and 21 percent of residents held a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to a national rate of 24 percent.

Website www.avonmass.net

AVON -- Just four miles square, Avon is the most compact community in Eastern Massachusetts.

But the town is not a sleepy suburb struggling to pay its bills solely from homeowners. Route 24 bisects it, fueling industrial and commercial development that now accounts for about 45 percent of the town's assessed value. John Groulx, executive secretary for selectmen, said the current residential tax rate is $9.42 per thousand.

Citing an Old Colony Planning Council study, Groulx said around 7,000 people head into town for work every day, nearly doubling Avon's population. There are several light manufacturing companies in town as well as large retail outlets such as Jordan's Furniture and Staples.

Groulx said Route 24 gives residents quick access to Boston, Providence, and Route 128.

But workers don't have to leave town at all to find employment, he said.

''We have a fair number of jobs so that people can make their commute even shorter," Groulx said.

For residents, the big-ticket item is the renovation and upgrade of Avon Middle/High School, a $15 million project that ran into trouble in 2004 when its first contractor was fired for missing deadlines. Groulx said the second contractor has finished the work, and the completed facility is ready for this school year.

The town is essentially built out, and Avon's small size means limited green space. The town owns the John DeMarco Park, a 24-acre parcel on Route 28 that provides passive recreation. Part of DW Field Park is in Avon, but is owned by Brockton to protect its reservoir.

On a recent week, Realtor.com listed 20 single-family homes, ranging from $309,900 for a three-bedroom, one-bath, 1,037-square-foot home to $575,000 for a four-bedroom, 3 1/2-bath, 3,070-square-foot home.

JOHN ELLEMENT

Sales sampler

44 Gill St. One-family raised ranch, built in 1962, 1,044 square feet, 5 rooms, 3 bedrooms, 1 1/2 baths, on 15,304-square-foot lot. $292,000

30 Glendon St. One-family ranch, built in 1956, 1,064 square feet, 5 rooms, 3 bedrooms, 1 bath, on 9,660-square-foot lot. $239,900

75 Highland St. One-family, built in 1908, 1,120 square feet, 5 rooms, 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, on 30,800-square-foot lot. $328,000

6 Langley Road Two-family, built in 1900, 1,416 square feet, 8 rooms, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, on 30,814-square-foot lot. $370,000

20 Leo's Lane One-family, built in 1970, 3,348 square feet, 10 rooms, 6 bedrooms, 3 1/2 baths, on 15,353-square-foot lot. $500,000